By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Xavier plays its final exhibition game at 2 p.m. today against the Upstate Basketball All-Stars at Cintas Center. The Musketeers essentially remain a mystery, in a "Who's going to step up today?" sort of way.

Obviously, All-America candidate Romain Sato is a focal point on both ends of the court. But after him, Xavier has seven to nine players competing for playing time, all eager to make an impact.

There are three other returning starters, Lionel Chalmers, Anthony Myles and Dedrick Finn, who are expected to evolve from role players into primary contributors. And then there are talented newcomers and key reserves from last season, including Keith Jackson, who has moved into the starting lineup in place of Finn. That many players are interchangeable at several positions gives Xavier the ability to show up with a different personality every time it takes the floor.

"We're still adapting," Jackson said. "We've got so much talent on the floor, one through however many players we have on this team. J.D. (Justin Doellman) might pull a 3, and we have to be ready for that because we can all score out there. It's different from last year when a guy might come in, like myself, and just look to pass. This year, we're all aggressive."

The offensive benefit of that is a more balanced attack that doesn't weigh too heavily on one or two individuals. And it doesn't force Xavier coach Thad Matta to stick with a player who isn't performing on any particular night.

Finn came off the bench in the first exhibition game last week to score 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

"I can't worry about starting or not," Finn said. "When I found out, I took it in stride and figured when I do get in, I'll go out and play as hard as I can."

The same goes for forward Brandon Cole, who gave Xavier an entirely different style of post presence than starter Will Caudle off the bench last week. Cole's status for today remains questionable. He suffered a minor shoulder injury in a collision in Friday's practice. Xavier plays Coppin State in its regular-season opener next Saturday.

Xavier vs. Upstate Basketball

Tipoff: 2 p.m. today, Cintas Center (10,250).

Radio: WKRC-AM (550).

XAVIER

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG*
Romain Sato	Sr.	6-5	18.1
Anthony Myles	Sr.	6-9	10.2
Lionel Chalmers	Sr.	6-0	12.0
Keith Jackson	Jr.	6-6	5.0
Will Caudle	So.	6-8	3.7

*-2002-03

Coach: Thad Matta (52-12, third season; 76-20 overall).

UPSTATE BASKETBALL

Player	PPG*
Frank Williams	6.0
Jay Locklier	15.0
Harold Deane	11.0
Devonaire Deas	4.0
John Morton	28.0

*-Based on game vs. Seton Hall.